food labeling.

1.2 These guidelines apply to the use of the term halal and equivalent terms in claims

      as defined in the General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods and

      include its use in trademarks, brand names and business names.

1.3 These guidelines are intended to supplement the Codex General Guidelines on
      Claims and do not supersede any prohibition contained therein.


2. DEFINITION

2.1 Halal Food means food permitted under the Islamic Law and should fulfil the

      following conditions:

The Codex General Guidelines for the use of the term "Halal" were adopted by the Codex Alimetarius Commission at its 22nd Session, 1997. They have been sent to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO and WHO as an advisory text, and it is for individual governments to decide what use they wish to make of the Guidelines.

2.1.1 Does not consist of or contain anything which is considered to be unlawful
         according to Islamic Law;

2.1.2 Has not been prepared, processed, transported or stored using any appliance or facility that was not free from anything unlawful according to Islamic Law; and

2.1.3 Has not in the course of preparation, processing, transportation or storage been  

         in direct contact with any food that fails to satisfy 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 above.

2.2 Notwithstanding Section 2.1 above:

2.2.1 Halal food can be prepared, processed or stored in different sections or lines

         within the same premises where non-halal foods are produced, provided that

         necessary measures are taken to prevent any contact between halal and non-

         halal foods;

2.2.2 Halal food can be prepared, processed, transported or stored using facilities

         which have been previously used for non-halal foods provided that proper

         cleaning procedures, according to Islamic requirements, have been observed.


3. CRITERIA FOR USE OF THE TERM "HALAL"

3.1 LAWFUL FOOD

The term halal may be used for foods which are considered lawful. Under the Islamic Law, all sources of food are lawful except the following sources, including their products and derivatives which are considered unlawful:

3.1.1 Food of Animal Origin

a) Pigs and boars.

b) Dogs, snakes and monkeys.

c) Carnivorous animals with claws and fangs such as lions, tigers, bears and other

    similar animals.

d) Birds of prey with claws such as eagles, vultures, and other similar birds.

e) Pests such as rats, centipedes, scorpions and other similar animals.

f) Animals forbidden to be killed in Islam, i.e., ants, bees and woodpecker birds.

g) Animals which are considered repulsive generally like lice, flies, maggots and other
    similar animals.

h) Animals that live both on land and in water such as frogs, crocodiles and other

    similar animals.

i) Mules and domestic donkeys.

j) All poisonous and hazardous aquatic animals.

k) Any other animals not slaughtered according to Islamic Law.

l) Blood.

3.1.2 Food of Plant Origin

Intoxicating and hazardous plants except where the toxin or hazard can be eliminated
during processing.

3.1.3 Drink

a) Alcoholic drinks
b) All forms of intoxicating and hazardous drinks

3.1.4 Food Additives

All food additives derived from Items 3.1.1, 3.1.2 and 3.1.3.

3.2 SLAUGHTERING

All lawful land animals should be slaughtered in compliance with the rules laid down in the Codex Recommended Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Meat and the following requirements:

3.2.1 The person should be a Muslim who is mentally sound and knowledgeable of the
         Islamic slaughtering procedures.

3.2.2 The animal to be slaughtered should be lawful according to Islamic Law.

3.2.3 The animal to be slaughtered should be alive or deemed to be alive at the time of
         slaughtering.

3.2.4 The phrase "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah) should be invoked immediately

         before the slaughter of each animal.

3.2.5 The slaughtering device should be sharp and should not be lifted off the animal
         during the slaughter act.

3.2.6 The slaughter act should sever the trachea, esophagus and main arteries and
         veins of the neck region.

3.3 PREPARATION, PROCESSING, PACKAGING, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

All food should be prepared, processed, packaged, transported and stored in such a
manner that it complies with the Section 2.1 and 2.1 above and the Codex General
Principles on Food Hygiene and other relevant Codex Standards.


4. ADDITIONAL LABELLING REQUIREMENT

4.1 When a claim is made that a food is halal, the word halal or equivalent terms should appear on the label.

4.2 In accordance with the Codex General Guidelines on Claims, claims on halal

 should no be used in ways which could give rise to doubt about the safety of